Boo! Happy Halloween!

Hi there lovely friends!

I don’t think it’s a huge secret that I’m not the biggest fan of Halloween - I’m a big scaredy cat and like my bumps in the night to be of a very specific variety. One time, when I was trying to be a cool kid in high school and went to a haunted forest, someone chased us with a chain saw, I tripped over a root and fell, and my (at the time) boyfriend stepped over me and kept going. There’s no coming back from that.

That said, I love the passion with which some people embrace Halloween season. Game recognizes game, and I see my love for Christmas mirrored in their 12 foot skeletons and inflatable spiders.

Book Marketing with Courtney, a Marketing Patreon I belong to, worked up this template, which I had fun sharing for all my books this week.

These are the kinds of Boos, I’m in for.

Writing Corner and Book News

These 2.5 weeks at my parents have been a lovely little break from writing and heavy book work following the mad rush of releasing Make You Mine This Christmas. I think I read 7 or 8 books, and while many of them were “research” for Capitally Yours, it was really nice to have a chance to refill the creative well. Dad was walking and mostly pain free right home from the hospital (his body reacts to nerve blocks REALLY well, we’ve learned), so while I was able to help out and serve as chauffeur, it was very different vibes than the 10 weeks I spent here at the beginning of the year.

While the break was great, I’m so ready to dive back into drafting mode and start getting Spencer’s story out of my head and onto the page. I already had plans to do a whole ton of writing this month, taking advantage of different events from groups I'm in.

And then Lyssa Kay Adams entered with a great idea - as we approach a November where many states in the country are going to lose access to SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown, she's bringing authors together for a write-a-thon to benefit Feeding America. And I'm going all in on this one.

Feeding America estimates every $1 provides at least 10 meals. My personal fundraising goal is $500, or 5,000 meals.

My word count goal for the month is 50,000 words. I'd be honored if you'd pledge to sponsor me through my progress, or make a flat donation toward my goal. Maybe $1 for every 2,500 words, which is $20 if (and when!) I hit my goal? Or maybe $5 now to start the month off on a high note? I'll be sure to share updates here, and am excited to see how many meals our author community can come together to fund over the next several weeks.

If you’d like to make a pledge to sponsor me Write-A-Thon style, please fill out this form here!

You can head to https://geni.us/RH_WAH to check out more of the details about our team's goals and make a donation today!

Favorite Halloween Candy

Now, for the important stuff. I need to know - what’s your favorite Halloween candy?

New Release Spotlight

I want to be Rachel Laberge when I grow up - she surprise released this spicy yet sweet little novella a couple of weeks ago. I devoured it in one sitting, swooning and sweating all the way. If you’re looking for a quick read that brings all the heat, Rachel’s trademark real and relatable characters, check out The One Bed Rule today!

Alright, I’m off to catch up on mailing off wholesale orders that came in while I was away and purchase some bags of candy entirely too large for the amount of trick-or-treaters we get. Adult things.

Stay hydrated, call your Reps, and escape with a good book.

Romantically Yours,

Rachel